I always tell beginning runners: Train your brain first. It's much more important than your heart or legs.

In running, it doesn't matter how fast or slow you are relative to anyone else. You set your own pace and you measure your own progress. You can't lose this race because you're not running against anyone else. You're only running against yourself, and as long as you are running, you are winning.

Don't judge your running by your speed.

Life is a marathon, not a sprint; pace yourself accordingly.

If you train your mind for running, everything else will be easy.

Running has taught me, perhaps more than anything else, that there's no reason to fear starting lines... or other new beginnings.

Don't get discouraged. As far as I'm concerned, a positive attitude is the most important attribute any runner can have. You'll need it often. Every runner has bad days, every runner has occasional injuries, and every runner eventually slows down (take it from someone who has slowed down a lot). But as long as you maintain a positive attitude, you'll find ways to overcome the obstacles and continue running. After all, running offers countless rewards. It's simply up to you to find the ones that have the most meaning for you.